However, Halsey pointed to the spot and Lambert sent Brad Guzan the wrong way with a firm finish into the bottom right corner in front of a Holte End getting closer to breaking point.

Villa were their own worst enemies, passing up several chances to clear in the build up to the penalty, most tellingly when Fabian Delph booted the ball against team-mate Ciaran Clark.

Lambert had made four chances from the Capital One Cup semi-final shocker in midweek with Brad Guzan, Stevens and fit-again midfielders Ashley Westwood and Brett Holman returning.

Shay Given, who has a hamstring injury, Bennett, Barry Bannan and Gabby Agbonlahor made way with Darren Bent (knee), Chris Herd (foot), Marc Albrighton (foot) all unavailable. Ron Vlaar returned to the bench after a calf problem which has kept him out since late November while Richard Dunne could return to training this week – and how Villa need some authority.

They have now conceded 42 goals – giving them a divisional worst goal difference of minus 25 – and when they are looking around for someone to take the lead it is usually the opposition.

The opener, although an injustice, was not a surprise as Saints played with confidence despite losing six, drawing two and winning one – at bottom club QPR – of their previous away games.

Before the goal Rodriguez failed to make the most of a cross-shot and a header and after the break he kept the Villa backline on their toes and forced Guzan into a save.

While Villa were again struggling in their left-back area, Saints left-back Luke Shaw tried to get forward, testing Guzan in the first period and flashing an angled strike just wide before departing on a stretcher late on.

Jason Puncheon also caused problems and his best moment came in the second half when the winger cut in from the left and rattled the post.

Villa, whose 17-goal haul is a joint Premier League worst, along with QPR, again rued their failure to take chances particularly during a late spell.

Apart from an off-target Benteke curler early on, they did not pack much of a punch before the interval, but they bombed forward, albeit to no avail, in the final 15 minutes of the match.

Baker came closest when his header from sub Bannan’s corner struck the top of the bar in the last minute, while Benteke desperately needs a goal from open play to boost his confidence.

Having missed a hat-trick-ful at Bradford, the Belgian battering ram’s radar was amiss again just when Villa were crying out for a repeat of his winner against Reading in late November.

Benteke twice blazed the rebounds over when Stevens and Agbonlahor tested Artur Boruc and the Saints keeper also produced a reflex save to keep out the former Genk striker’s header and stop Andi Weimann’s low strike.

But it was not to be. Villa have now lost five, drawn four and won just two of their Premier League home matches this season. Overall they have won four, drawn seven and lost 11 matches.

With a derby challenge at Albion next weekend and then a Wembley rescue mission at Villa Park, Lambert and his players can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves about yesterday’s injustice.

Randy Lerner and Lambert have ruled out big name signings, but Villa are determined to strengthen in this window – and they must – before it is too late to right their own wrongs.